Register for Online IFA Regional CAP Meetings
IFA President Tim Cullinan has called on the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and the Government to act decisively to protect farmers and rural Ireland in advance of upcoming European negotiations on CAP.
IFA has intensified its CAP campaign with the publication of its Six Key Objectives policy document.
He said, “Decisions in the coming weeks and months will decide the direction of our sector between now and 2027. We need our Minister for Agriculture to show real mettle during the key negotiations ahead”.
IFA is holding a series of regional CAP meetings over the next fortnight. Details of the online meetings, which start at 8.00pm, are as follows:
- Munster – Tues, 18th May
- South Leinster – Wed, 19th May
- Connacht – Thurs, 20th May
- Ulster/North Leinster – Mon, 24th May
You can register for the online regional CAP meetings here.
The week beginning 24th May is crucial with CAP ‘super trilogue’ discussions between the EU institutions taking place. In addition, the Council of Agriculture Ministers will also take place that week.
IFA met with the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue this week where Tim Cullinan outlined to the Minister IFA’s six key campaign demands:
- Minimise the impact of the Eco-scheme on farmers’ Basic Payment
- Hold the line on 75% internal convergence
- Maximise national co-financing of Pillar II farm schemes
- €1.5bn of carbon tax revenue for agri-environmental measures
- Practical implementation of Good Agricultural Environmental Conditions (GAECs)/cross-compliance
- Phasing out of long-term leasing of entitlements, with appropriate definition of genuine farmer.
Full details of IFA’s CAP proposals can be found here.
He said, “The Minister must ensure that Pillar II schemes such as ANC, GLAS, TAMS, BDGP (suckler cows), the Sheep Welfare Scheme and Organics are properly funded. In addition, we need a new scheme for tillage farmers to stop the exodus from this sector”.
“The EU is going down a dangerous path by moving away from the principle that the CAP ensures food security. Greater ambition on climate action will not be achieved if the viability of primary producers is taken for granted. The value of farm payments has been continuously eroded by inflation and the various reforms over the years. Many farmers are now at a tipping point,” he said.
